Everything You Need to Know About Gemini Grill, River North’s New Neighborhood Haunt
Talk about movin’ on up. It’s funny to think how much Ballyhoo Hospitality has grown since it opened its first spot, Gemini, in 2009 in a flatiron building on a corner in Lincoln Park. Back then it was known as Gemini Bistro, and Ballyhoo was nary a glimmer in owner Ryan O’Donnell’s eye, as the restaurant group didn’t officially form until 2018.
Today, Ballyhoo has 10 concepts, and counting. And you could say with its latest, Gemini Grill, that the group is climbing to new heights.
No, Gemini doesn’t sit on a rooftop overlooking the city, but it is part of One Chicago, the newest supertall luxury tower in the city. And though the prime River North location might make it a bit fancier, it still manages to feel like a neighborhood joint. Opened at the base of the 77-story tower (now the sixth tallest in Chicago, soaring at 971 feet) and across from the iconic Holy Name Cathedral, Gemini Grill retains the homey feel of its older sibling, while building on it. The restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner, has a bottomless brunch on the weekend, and recently launched a weeknight happy hour.
As its name implies, you can expect a number of items enhanced by flames and embers from the live grill, alongside an array of other seasonal dishes. The restaurant’s design, by Siren Betty, feels warm and welcoming, with an elegant 26-seat wrap-around bar with overhead glass and metal shelving, cozy teacup booths, and dark wood tables. Add to that accent lighting, pottery on display throughout the dining room, large mirrors, and two custom original paintings by the artist Beth O’Donnell, who also happens to be Ryan’s mother.
This is just a bit of what you should know before heading to Gemini Grill. What else? Read on.
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Think of Gemini Grill as an American bistro …
The idea here is that there’s pretty much something for everyone. You will see some of Gemini’s greatest hits on the menu, like the Sunday fried chicken special with pickles, German potato salad, and hot sauce. But almost everything is either updated or an entirely new dish. Start with bigeye tuna crudo with pickled wild blueberries and the perfect pinch of salt; creamy fava bean hummus with crumbled pistachio; or the truly jumbo lump crab cake that’s ever-so-lightly breaded and served atop a dill rémoulade. Move on to a little gem Caesar with an abundance of croutons; seared sea scallops with chorizo breadcrumbs; and miso black cod with oyster mushrooms. Looking for something off the grill? Keep reading.
… with a live fire grill.
To further differentiate the two Geminis, the team added a live-fire grill that burns Marabu charcoal. Look for these dishes in the middle of the menu, where you’ll also find an “à la frites” section. Choose either a 10-ounce hanger steak or eight-ounce filet mignon, both with Bordelaise sauce. You’ll also find a juicy and tender half chicken in a garlic-thyme jus and an eight-ounce prime burger topped with aioli, Monterey jack cheese, and jalapeño relish. Other items that meet the flames? Blistered shishito peppers, jumbo black tiger shrimp with white jalapeño grits, and Mediterranean sea bass with confit tomato relish.
Daily specials, weeknight happy hour, and weekend bottomless brunch.
Sticking with the idea that Gemini Grill can be your go-to neighborhood spot (especially if you live at One Chicago, as each of the 812 units has its own QR code for ordering delivery), the menu features nightly specials. On Mondays, get a burger and a beer; Wednesdays feature fish and chips; lobster risotto on Fridays; and fried chicken on Sundays.
Want something quick and inexpensive? Happy hour — Monday through Friday between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. — offers a range of drinks and bites for either $5 or $9. For $5 each, grab a glass of house wine or beer and pair it with fava bean hummus or wild mushroom tempura. Spend $4 more and step it up with a martini or other specialty cocktails and nosh on ahi tuna crisps, lobster arancini, or burger sliders.
Weekends are for lingering and the bottomless brunch here reinforces the message, up to a point (there’s a 90-minute limit). For $25 a person, choose between mimosas, peach Bellinis, Bloody Marys, and more. To counter that booze, make sure you order food (not included in the $25). Start with a trio of pastries — pop tart, monkey bread, and coffee cake. Then keep going with standard brunchy stuff: fluffy pancakes, crab cake Benedict, lox and bagel plate, avocado toast, and a host of salads and sandwiches. Then ask for another drink.
Want to drink without the buzz?
Not everyone wants a bottomless buzz. There are two sections on the menu dedicated to low- and no-alcohol drinks. First, the Low & Slow features two drinks made with lower-ABV 55 proof Sommarøy spirits. The Ambrosia & Nectar mixes Sommarøy gin with lemon and honey. The Sommarøy & the City is a play on a Cape Cod with its vodka, lime, cranberry, and lemongrass syrup. Want to go spirit free entirely? The Blueberry Collins and Black Pepper Nojito are your tickets — the former is bright and fresh, while the latter offers some savoriness. Both offer so much more than a simple glass of tap water.
The patio is made for lingering
River North isn’t necessarily known for its idyllic pastures and green space, but the patio courtyard at Gemini Grill challenges that. Planter boxes lush with green shrubbery set the 100-seat patio off from the bustle of State Street. A number of trees that will continue to grow and blossom throughout summer and a slatted wood awning overhead shield from the sun. Add in music and lighting to set the mood and you almost forget you’re in the heart of the city. Almost.
Ari Bendersky, a lifestyle journalist specializing in food, wine, spirits, and travel, is the author of Something Glorious with Ari Bendersky on Substack. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter. Follow Resy, too.
